2004 Ford Freestar: windshield wiper failure

Filed Jan 17, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 85,000 miles · GA

My van has a problem with water, that is when it rains the vehicle starts having problems with several components. (ie engine misfire, transmission fails to shift properly, door looks refuse to operate properly, among other weird things) this happens every time it rains. The problem as I have being able to trace it, is that the water that comes off the front windshield and into the plastic that covers the cowl area ( where the wipers are) drips on to the main electric wire harness connection that comes from the inside of the car and connects to the engine bay wire harness. As the wire harness connector gets wet, the vehicle starts acting up. I took the van to my mechanic but he was unable to find a problem, it was dry. I took the vehicle to a ford dealer and, to my surprise, they knew about the problem but told me I had to pay the repair because its covered on a technical service bulletin (tsb 06-14-10) but its not a recall. How can this not be a recall when the van is going along well and as soon as it starts raining, I start having drive ability issues, transmissions starts acting up, engine starts acting up, some times stalls, in general I have a vehicle that appears to be "allergic to water." this issue happens any time it stars raining heavily whether on the highway or city street or my driveway for that matter, if its raining I have to take my wife's car because if not I know will have to be dealing with an uncooperative vehicle. Ps. I put a date on the "when did this happen" field but this is an ongoing issue.

Filed May 13, 2015 · Electrical · 157,000 miles · NC

Different things are happening. My van idles at a higher RPM. My van doesnt want to crank on the first turn of the key. My van is possibly miss-firing. My front wiper motor has stopped. My alternator was replaced. Now my battery light comes on but then may go off. My car shuts off when idles, my battery light is on. Nothing but the engine cranked, but battery light is on. My battery was replaced with in 6 months before this. Sometimes the side doors decide to open when button is pushed and sometimes they do not. I have been told that the problem is with water getting into the PCM. Water should not be able to get into this area. There is not time frame as to how long this has been damaged, but it is a problem. It needs to be fixed. When researching the internet I find that this is almost everyone's answer to their problem, I feel that it is an issue that needs some attention from ford to recognize again. Yes sometimes these problems can be due to something else but when all of the other items have been fixed or replaced and it continues then it is a problem.

Filed May 23, 2014 · Visibility · 94,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the windshield wipers failed to work. The failure occurred four times over a period of two months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the smart junction box needed to be replaced in order to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

Filed May 14, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 165,000 miles · MD

Rpm's surge, loss of power while driving, already had recalls done and still having problems, trans axle light comes on when doing highway speeds., I think the recall needs to be on the electrical system and where the main computer is located. The main computer is right beneath the awning for the wiper assembly...lots of potential water damage and many unhappy customers. This is supposed to be a family vehicle and it is more like driving a ticking time bomb. I would hate to be on the highway and the vehicle just suddenly stop. Not good ford!!! Not good!

Filed Apr 29, 2013 · Electrical · 187,000 miles · NJ

While driving to take my husband to work in the rain my wipers began to slowly lose power and slow down, then my radio shut off, my head lights began to turn off then off then they loss power, finally my dashboard began to have the oil light and ABS light and emergency brake light come on, then the battery light turned on I took it to a mechanic and they said it something electric and maybe the PCM I contacted ford and they said they have no recall for that and can't help me unless I want to pay out of pocket. My mechanic also said they have seen many other ford freestars with this problem as the van was made that the PCM is locatedwhere water comes in with rain and ruins them. We are afraid that an electric problem may cause a misfire and even a fire to the vehicle.this is my only vehicle I have and strongly depend on it since I am 6.5 months pregnant and have a 2 year old and am afraid of being stranded somewhere with him. Had I known that this car was so unreliable and irresponsible for their mistakes and un willing to help, I would of purchased a foreign car with better warranty and quality as well as better service.

Filed Aug 7, 2009 · Transmission, Visibility · 5,300 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. While at a stop light and proceeding to accelerate, the vehicle failed to gain speed. In addition, the vehicle drove into reverse without being in the reverse position. After switching into the drive position, the contact managed to get the vehicle to move forward. He did not notice any lights illuminated or warnings prior to the failures. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that the power train control module was failing due to water damage to the system. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $186. The following day, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the transmission temperature sensor was failing. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $507.84. One month later, the wiper washer motor failed. The contact repaired the vehicle himself at the cost of $100. The manufacturer stated that no compensation would be provided because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 52,000 and current mileage was 53,000.**mileage is 5,300, smch 8-10-09 updated 8/24/09 *cn water entered the PCM. There were 2 codes on the vehicle that could not be cleared; which was the transmission fluid temperature sensor and the output shaft sensor. It was determined the tft sensor was bad. Water entered into a module that should have been sealed at the factory. The water may have shorted out the sensor and module. Water may also have entered the wiper motor which caused it to malfunction. Updated 08/26/09

Filed May 6, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 58,502 miles · IA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. While driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate and the instrumental panel lighting flashed. The vehicle shut off a few minutes later and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that water penetrated through the windshield wiper motor area and caused the main computerized system to fail. The instrument panel had to be replaced, the gas line had to be blown out, and the spark plugs were replaced. The insurance company investigation concluded that the failure was due to a product defect. The manufacturer acknowledged receiving the contact's written complaint; however, they would not assist with the $1,200 repair cost that the contact had to pay. The failure mileage was 58,502.

Filed Mar 31, 2008 · Visibility · 35,500 miles · MI

Traveling in a 2004 ford freestar on I-69 from indianapolis to ft wayne at 65mph. Spotted rain showers in area. Activate windshield wipers on high. Drivers side wiper detaches from assembly and entangles with passenger side wiper. Emergency exit from right-hand lane onto shoulder lane. Fastener nut found loose on wiper attachment knurl. Align wiper and tightened fastener finger tight. Wiper assembly remained acceptable clear vision at intermittent condition for remainder of travel. Wiper assembly had seen elevated snow load/removal 2 days prior to event. Vehicle has been taken to ford dealership and found that passenger side wiper assembly arm also loose.

Filed Feb 26, 2007 · Electrical, Transmission · 78,830 miles · IN

Tl*- the contact stated that the 2004 ford freestar's transmission failed at 79,000 miles while driving at 40 MPH and going up a hill, the engine revved, and the vehicle wouldn't accelerate at the normal speed, but she did get to the top of the hill. The contact stated that the engine continued to run ,but once she got to the top of the hill the vehicle wouldn't accelerate. The contact stated that some men pushed her to side the side of the road. The contact stated she had the vehicle towed to the dealership, and they informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced or reworked on. She was still under the 3 year warranty but had exceeded the miles under the warranty. The contact stated that the dealership replaced the transmission. She contacted the manufacturer, filed a complaint and was given case# 0417400577. The failure mileage was 78830 ,and the current mileage was 79000.*ak the front and rear brake lining and circuit breaker were replaced, the rear wiper was loose. Updated 04/12/07.